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Public Relations Scholarships

Have you ever wondered why your favorite movie star gave a specific answer on the red carpet, what the rationale was behind that politician admitting his affair or how an upstart company gained immense popularity overnight? Most likely, a public relations professional deserves some of the credit.

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Public relations (PR for short) centers around maintaining the public image of businesses, organizations and individuals. In even simpler terms, public relations execs are responsible for making their client look good at all costs and, in the off chance there is a slip up, cleaning up the mess as quickly as possible. Public relations majors take a variety of classes including journalism, marketing, advertising, business, communications and sociology, all of which prepare students for the rigors of this particular career. There’s a definite need for members in this field – the Bureau of Labor Statistics says employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow 24 percent from 2008 to 2018 – and with the right education, you could be one of them. The only thing holding you back? Paying for school.

A number of schools like the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Florida offer public relations scholarships specifically to their majors but looking beyond campus can yield even more public relations scholarship opportunities. Both the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) give generously to their members, as do public relations firms like Fleishman-Hillard, which also has an internship program. We’ve pulled several public relations scholarships from the Scholarships.com database for you but to find even more scholarship awards for which you qualify, conduct a free scholarship search. It’s worth it!

Media Fellows Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 6/30/2023
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The Washington Media Scholars Foundation provides the opportunity for college students to gain firsthand knowledge of the public policy advertising world through scholarship and networking opportunities. The Media Fellows program is the Foundation’s essay-based scholarship program, striving to provide financial assistance to undergraduate college students with interests at the intersection of [...] More

L. Ron Hubbard Writers of The Future Contest

  • Application Deadline: 9/30/2023
  • Amount: $5,000
  • L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest is an opportunity for new writers of science fiction and fantasy to have their work judged by some of the masters in the field and discovered by a wide audience. No entry fee is required and entrants retain all publication rights. Entries in the Writers of the Future Contest are adjudicated only by professional writers. Prizes of $1000, $750 and $500 [...] More

Pulliam Journalism Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 11/1/2023
  • Amount: Varies
  • Join us for the upcoming summer. The Indianapolis Star and The Arizona Republic, Gannett Co. newspapers, are seeking college students and new graduates with a talent for reporting, photojournalism, digital production or audio for an exciting and demanding journalism fellowship program. You'll be a member of our newsroom, work hard and gain valuable journalism experience. You get paid, too. You'll [...] More

ACES Bill Walsh Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2023
  • Amount: Varies
  • ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students. We are dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. We set standards of excellence and give a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, and beyond through top-notch training, networking, and career opportunities. Through our [...] More

The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists

  • Application Deadline: 11/15/2023
  • Amount: $2,500
  • Founded in memory of James Alan Cox, a television photojournalist, The James Alan Cox Foundation for Student Photojournalists aims to provide financial support to student photojournalists of high school and college age. Jim Cox, who was a television photojournalist in Phoenix, always "told a story" through his work, whether it was in video or still photography. Each award is $2,500.

    Five (5) [...] More

Overseas Press Club Foundation Awards

  • Application Deadline: 12/1/2023
  • Amount: $4,000
  • Graduate and undergraduate students, studying at American colleges and universities or Americans studying abroad, who aspire to become foreign correspondents, are invited to apply for one of the scholarships or fellowships to be awarded by the Overseas Press Club Foundation. Students win either a grant or funding for their overseas experience. In many cases, winning a prestigious OPC Foundation [...] More

Kenneth H. Ashworth Fellowship Program

  • Application Deadline: 1/15/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Applying for financial aid requires a little work on your part. But the fact is, you won't receive assistance unless you ask for it. And asking for it means completing a few forms. There are three very important things to remember about applying for aid: you only have to complete one financial aid application (either the FAFSA or the TASFA to start the process; the financial aid office at the [...] More

Ithaca College Park Scholar Award

  • Application Deadline: 1/20/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Each year, Ithaca College offers Park Scholar Scholarship Awards to students who are passionate about the field of communications, community service and who thrive on academic and personal challenge. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (federal guidelines), and apply to Ithaca College for an undergraduate major within the Roy H. Park School of Communications. Transfer [...] More

Hope College Distinguised Artist Awards- Creative Writing

  • Application Deadline: 1/29/2024
  • Amount: $12,000
  • We do everything we can to make sure that a Hope College experience provides great value at an affordable rate. This focus has earned the College recognition as a Best Value by Kiplinger's Personal Finance and Forbes’ Top Colleges, and inclusion in such books as Colleges That Change Lives and Putting Students First. Our students tell us that the financial aid they received made their dream of [...] More

William B. Ruggles Journalist Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 1/31/2024
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) is a research facility that dedicates itself to providing people with information and resources regarding labor relation policies. We believe that all people have the right to knowledge. More importantly, all people should have the right to choose whether or not they work for a union. Our aim is to provide the general public, scholars, [...] More

George Snow High School Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • To be eligible for the George Snow High School Scholarship, applicants must: attend school in Palm Beach County, or select Broward County schools (Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach High School, & Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School). Home schooled students living in Palm Beach County or home schooled students that would be attending high school at Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach High [...] More

RTDNA Foundation Ed Bradley Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/3/2024
  • Amount: $10,000
  • Ed Bradley is best known for his award-winning work in 26 years on CBS News’ 60 Minutes and as the first African American White House TV correspondent. Bradley received the Paul White Award from RTDNA in 2000 recognizing his lifetime commitment to RTDNA and the First Amendment Award from RTDNF in 2005 in recognition of his support of First Amendment rights. He passed away in 2006.

    Bradley [...] More

Augustana University Fryxell Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2024
  • Amount: $4,000
  • Scholarships are powerful. They remove obstacles, reward merit and meet needs — sometimes all at once. Thanks to a variety of alumni, friends and businesses, Augustana University students benefit from several scholarships each year. Some are awarded by AU, while others come from outside our institution. The majority of scholarships begin by applying for and being admitted to Augustana. Many [...] More

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/15/2024
  • Amount: $50,000
  • The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. Applicants must [...] More

Grattan and Stephen T. Gray Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 2/21/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The vision of the Community Foundation is for Monroe County to be a place where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. We strive to successfully fulfill our mission by committing to the following values: stewardship, local impact, community partnerships, inclusion and legacy. For 40 years the Community Foundation of Monroe County has had the privilege of supporting the Monroe County Community [...] More

LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 2/28/2024
  • Amount: $2,000
  • Each year, The LAGRANT Foundation provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are attending accredited institutions and are pursuing careers in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations. The scholarship recipients will receive a trip to either New York City, Portland, OR, or Minneapolis, MN where they will participate in career building [...] More

LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 2/28/2024
  • Amount: $3,250
  • Each year, The LAGRANT Foundation provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are attending accredited institutions and are pursuing careers in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations. The scholarship recipients will receive a trip to either New York City, Portland, OR, or Minneapolis, MN where they will participate in career building [...] More

NYWICI Scholarship Program

  • Application Deadline: 2/28/2024
  • Amount: $10,000
  • New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) provides scholarships every year to deserving young students. Scholarships range from $2,500 to $10,000 for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students for students pursuing a career/major in the field of communications. Applicants must reside in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania or go to college or university in one of those [...] More

SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • Every year SEMA helps students pay for their college tuition and SEMA Members pay off their student loans. Students from all academic and technical disciplines that lead to careers in the automotive industry are welcome to apply! The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.

    Assistance is available [...] More

AWC Springfield Educational Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) is the premier organization for empowering women like you with the strength, support, and tools for elevating your career and becoming an agent of change in the industry. We are a network of like-minded women who are genuinely invested in helping you reach your potential. Throughout their generosity, the Association for Women in Communications [...] More

Austin Alliance for Women in Media Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • AWM Austin is proud to award a scholarship to a college sophomore or junior studying media or a related field at a university in the Austin area (within a 40-mile radius from Austin). Consideration will also be given to students attending other colleges who graduated from an Austin area high school and maintain an Austin area permanent address. The scholarship will be awarded in April to be used [...] More

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference

  • Application Deadline: 3/1/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference program targets rising high school seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in journalism and who demonstrate qualities of "free spirit". You must be available to attend the all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C., June 24-29. Students must fill out an application, and will be notified by mid-May if they are selected. [...] More

Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2024
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Racial Ethnic Minority Students awards a scholarship for the undergraduate study of religion journalism or mass communications. The scholarship assists a United Methodist undergraduate who intends to pursue a career in religion journalism through study at an accredited U.S. college or university. Applicants must be a United Methodist ethnic [...] More

JEA Journalist of the Year Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2024
  • Amount: $3,000
  • Sister Rita Jeanne Scholarships recognize some of the top high school journalists in the country. The contest begins at the state level. Winning portfolios from state Journalist of the Year competitions are sent to the national level, with winners announced at the Spring JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. JEA sends scholarship funds — $3,000 for the top winner, and $1,000 each [...] More

Stoody-West Graduate Fellowship

  • Application Deadline: 3/15/2024
  • Amount: $6,000
  • The Stoody-West Graduate Fellowship will assist one United Methodist student in their post-graduate study at an accredited U.S. college or university who intends on pursuing a career in religious journalism. Applicants must be a United Methodist who intends to pursue a career in religion journalism and is enrolled in post-graduate study at a school in the United States. (The term "religion [...] More

Ohio News Media Association Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2024
  • Amount: $1,250
  • The Ohio News Media Foundation, in alignment with its mission of achieving the highest standards of excellence and professionalism in all phases of journalism and newspaper publishing, awards scholarships to high school and collegiate students annually. The Ohio News Media Foundation offers scholarships to high school seniors and college students majoring in newspaper related programs. The [...] More

Sacramento Press Club Journalism Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2024
  • Amount: $8,000
  • The Sacramento Press Club will be awarding seven scholarships this year, ranging from $4000-$8000. Students must submit a single application to be considered for all of the scholarships. Eligibility: applicants must be college students who will be juniors, seniors, or graduate students for at least one term in the upcoming academic year; and, applicants must have a connection to the 9-county [...] More

Peter Agris Memorial Journalism/Communications Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: 3/31/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The Alpha Omega Council honors its late founder Peter Agris by presenting the Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships annually to several young Greek-Americans pursuing studies in the fields of journalism or communications. The Scholarship program, conducted in cooperation with the Agris family, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017 and since its inception has provided more than a half a million [...] More

Valley Press Club Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/1/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • Any high school senior from the four counties in western Massachusetts, who has applied to college and is committed to pursuing journalism as their academic major or minor is eligible for the Valley Press Club Scholarship. Areas of journalism focus can including news, sports, investigative, photojournalism, social media, features, health, and entertainment. Start by downloading the Scholarship [...] More

Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship Award

  • Application Deadline: 4/12/2024
  • Amount: $2,500
  • The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is offering scholarships for Arab American undergraduates who excel in media studies. Undergraduate juniors and seniors, as well as graduate students majoring in journalism, radio, television, and/or film are eligible to apply. For those interested in applying, please submit the following: a one-page statement explaining why you merit the [...] More

ABA Academic Merit Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/14/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The American Bus Association Academic Merit Scholarship is open to both ABA and non-ABA Members. To be eligible, applicants must: be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student at an accredited university (4-year university/college or junior college; have a declared major or course of study relevant to the transportation, travel, and tourism industry (which can encompass many [...] More

New York Financial Writers' Association Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The New York Financial Writers' Association offers a number of scholarships to enrolled undergraduate or graduate journalism students in the tri-state New York area who are seriously interested in pursuing a career in business and financial journalism. To qualify for a scholarship you must already be attending school, or have graduated at the end of the most recent calendar year.

    Applications [...] More

NDS McCullough Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • Applicant must be a freshman at a four-year-college or university majoring in Dairy/Animal Science with a Communications emphasis or Agricultural Journalism with a Dairy/Animal Science emphasis. Student must be planning on a future career in dairy journalism or communications. Scholarship is based on communication abilities, student activities, academic ability and future plans. This scholarship [...] More

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/15/2024
  • Amount: $2,000
  • The mission of the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is to acknowledge, support, and empower exceptional graduating high school seniors of King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties by providing financial assistance for an education at their college of choice within Washington state. Over 1,000 of the most promising high school graduates from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties have attended college [...] More

AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 4/21/2024
  • Amount: Varies
  • The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students yearly in April. To be eligible, students must plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic design. The applicant must be graduating from a high school or currently attending college in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike in Indiana or Edwards, White, Wabash, [...] More

IAEE Helen Brett Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/1/2024
  • Amount: $5,000
  • The purpose of the Helen Brett Scholarship is to assist individuals who are enrolled in a four-year degree program with a focus on the study of exhibition and event management. The scholarship serves to promote the exhibitions and events industry by attracting college level students into the field of study and encouraging their pursuit with financial support.

    Scholarships are awarded [...] More

Ohio News Media Association High School Journalism Scholarship

  • Application Deadline: 5/22/2024
  • Amount: $1,000
  • The Ohio News Media Association High School Journalism Scholarship is offered to Ohio high school students who are graduating seniors interested in studying journalism, advertising, marketing or communications at an accredited college or university during the upcoming academic year. Eligible applicants must have at least a GPA of a 2.5. The following items must accompany the application form: an [...] More

Ashbrook Scholar Program

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: $8,000
  • There is a sense of honor attached to being called an “Ashbrook Scholar” because it is earned through dedication and a true passion for the subject. In the course of their four years at Ashland University, Ashbrook Scholars come from across the nation to undertake a rigorous program that expands and enlightens their understanding of American history and government. The study of political life is [...] More

National Press Photographers Foundation Scholarships

  • Application Deadline: Varies
  • Amount: Varies
  • The National Press Photographers Foundation, Inc, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is charged with advancing photojournalism through education and awarding scholarships and fellowships to deserving individuals who have demonstrated ability or promise in the field of visual journalism. The National Press Photographers Foundation is grateful for the corporate support of our educational [...] More
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Public Relations Scholarships